September 8, 2017 - September 10, 2017

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Florence will be in top gear and revved-up for you during the 10th Annual Invitational Rods ‘N Rhodies Car Show presented by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce September 8-10. Rods ’N Rhodies Weekend includes the fifth annual Community-wide Garage Sale with dozens of residential and commercial sales all around town.

Top Hot Rods and Classic Cars to Shine

This year’s American Graffiti theme will supercharge the weekend from start to finish! The event showcases up to 125 of the best high-end hot rods and custom cruisers from 1976 and earlier. Rods valued in the range of $250,000 are regulars at this event and this year we have some famous special guest vehicles—four of the American Graffiti tribute vehicles and the famous Copper Caddy featured on Velocity Channel’s Bitchin’ Rides. Three Rivers Casino Resort has joined our event as a major sponsor this year and will host these famous vehicles Friday afternoon and evening.

Because Rods ’N Rhodies is an invitational, you know you’ll see some of the West Coast’s most gorgeous, amazing, awe-inspiring hot rods at different venues all weekend. Be sure to snap up a copy of the garage sale guide at the Siuslaw News office (148 Maple St.) or online at TheSiuslawNews.com, or the Chamber of Commerce office (290 Highway 101) and enjoy your own personal episode of the famous “American Pickers” TV show.

The weekend also features events at Three Rivers Casino Resort, Historic Old Town Florence, and City Lights Cinemas along with food trucks, a vendor fair, live and DJ music, show-and-shines, and a classic car cruise.

Check out all the details below!

Friday

The event starts Friday with registration and a show-and-shine at Three Rivers Casino Resort where attendees can check out all these incredible rides, several of the Best of Show winners from prior years, and visit with owners. This Show and Shine is open to the public at no charge. Local food trucks will also be on hand Friday night at the casino. The American Graffiti tribute cars and the Copper Caddy will be on display in the casino’s event center Friday between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Saturday

The show-and-shine moves to Historic Old Town for Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Up to 125 awesome rides will line Bay Street in Historic Old Town. Russ Strohmeyer, a popular DJ on classic car circuit, will perform on Bay Street with period music Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Enjoy great food, music, a classic cruise, and create turbocharged memories!

On Saturday, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., the official car cruise will wind its way through Historic Old Town to the sounds of ’50s and ’60s music, and the roar-and-rumble of dozens of classic rides.

Saturday night also features a screening of American Graffiti at City Lights Cinemas with a 50’s and 60’s costume contest and a meet-and-greet at 5:30 p.m. The movie begins at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday’s Poker Walk

This year the annual Poker Walk will be on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with some great prizes. This year the Chamber will provide a checkered flag to draw attention to each participating merchant, along with a special deck of cards. Poker Walk contestants purchase a Poker Walk Card for $5 from the Pit Crew table on Bay Street. The contestants then visit each registered destination and draw a card from the deck of cards. The merchant signs off on the card and records it for the officials. Contestants must have at least five cards to have a playing hand. The more merchants a player visits, the better the chances for a winning hand when they turn it in at the Poker Walk table on Bay Street. Prizes will be awarded for the highest and lowest hands. The winners will be announced Sunday during the Rods ’N Rhodies car award ceremony and need not be present to win.

Sunday

The high-end hot rods and custom cruisers return and Strohmeyer reprises his show on Bay Street on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Raffle tickets will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Pit Crew’s table and prizes will be awarded every half hour. Ticket holders must be present to win.

A ceremony to announce merchant awards and best-in-show award for the vehicles starts at noon on Sunday. The best-in-show winner will be featured on the 2018 Rods ’N Rhodies poster. This year the Chamber will also bestow a People’s Choice award from the popular vote of attendees. Ballots will be available at the Pit Crew table.

Special Thanks

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce gives special thanks to our additional event sponsors this year, including Three Rivers Casino and Resort, Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center, Les Schwab Tire, Oregon Pacific Bank, and ACR Automotive. Each have made significant contributions to expand the weekend’s offerings.

Street Closures

Bay Street, from the Siuslaw River Bridge to Nopal St. will be closed Saturday, September 9, from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 10, from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Closures will also include parts of Laurel and Maple Streets in Old Town with a section of Maple St. in Old Town closed Friday at noon through Sunday afternoon for a vendor’s fair.

For more information about Rods ’N Rhodies and the Community-wide Garage Sale, call 541-997-3128, or e-mail events@florencechamber.com.